Clickaway 2016 | Seattle Urban Family Photography

I have had the absolute honor of teaching at Clickaway for the past three years. Clickaway is an international photography conference where like minded photographers come from all over the world to learn, inspire, and connect. 

Speaking at a conference was not a goal I set for myself. I owe this honor all to Clickinmoms, an amazing company that has helped me grow as a photographer more than I ever could have imagined. When they asked me to be a main speaker in 2015 I was shocked but I gladly accepted. Since then I have gone on to speak at other conferences and have learned that speaking is quite rewarding. To be able to reach a large amount of people all at once and in person is an amazing thing. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. 

This past year Clickaway was here in Seattle, which was super fun. My role this year was as a small group instructor where I took about 50 photographers to the streets of Seattle to watch me work with families in an urban environment. I also did a few indoor shoots as well. 

I knew I wanted to use this little family as models. They are very special and very much full of love. I met Aubri when I was still working as a nurse and have always enjoyed her company. She has such a unique personal style that I knew would fit right in to the Seattle scene. 

Enjoy this little family. They are such great subjects for my class. 

You Are Not An Impostor | Photography Advice

Hey Friend,

Have you ever heard of impostor syndrome? No. Well let me tell you a little bit about it. It's that little voice inside your head that says "hey you, are you crazy? Don't you see all the other bad ass artists out there who are so much better than you. Who do you think you are?" 

Yeah. Impostor syndrome is mean. 

But all I can do to push past it is believe in myself. I take risks. Sometimes I fail. But I learn so much from those failures. 

Nearly seven years ago I took a leap of faith and started a business in a very saturated market. I juggled my job as a registered nurse, my role as a good wife, all with a toddler at my heels and a newborn in my lap. It was freakin hard. But guess what? I came up on top after falling down many, many times. 

You can too. I know you can! 

To push past imposture syndrome I put my head down and I do the work that I know is so important. I don't care if I am not the best artist in all the land. I don't care if my work isn't on trend. What I care about is my heart and the heart of my business which is to create meaningful and connected photography for all the families who trust me to capture them. 

What we are doing as artists is important work. Just think about photographs that you have of your own childhood. They are absolutely priceless.

Photography matters. 

So next time you feel like an impostor do me a favor and remember this. There is only one you. Only you can make the art that you do. Only you can see things the way you see them. What you are doing is important and meaningful. You have a unique and beautiful gift that needs to be shared with the world. If you didn't, you wouldn't even have the urge to make it. 

So don't give up! You are not an impostor! We are in this together!! 

I wrote a blog post about this a few months back. You may find it helpful. Click HERE to read it. ;) 

Love,
Elena 

Gina & Brian | Seattle Maternity Photographer

I don't eve know where to begin with this session. We had to reschedule a few times but finally we set a date. We met at one of my favorite Seattle locations that is usually packed but for some reason we had it all to ourselves. 

Maternity Photography Matters

I know many hesitate to capture this time in life, but I promise, it is important. You will soon forget your round belly and the intense excitement that is present when you are expecting a baby. 

Gina & Brian recently moved to Seattle and I just know it was meant to be for me to be their photographer. We had so much fun at their session. It felt like I was getting together with old friends. We laughed, we explored, and we got to know each other. 

As you can see, their relationship is genuine and sweet. Gina is a stunning pregnant mama and was very natural in front of the camera. 

We have since done their birth space and full newborn session but each session deserves a blog post. So until then, enjoy her gorgeous Seattle maternity session. It was magic. 

Argal | Seattle Family Photographer

The Argal's and I go way back. 

Back to New Mexico, actually. Gen and I are both from New Mexico, both nurses, and both photographers. However, we never knew each other in New Mexico. We met here in Seattle. Such a small world. 

She let me practice my photography skills on her little lady nearly seven years ago when I had no idea what I was doing. I am forever grateful for those who let me try out my skills in the beginning, for because of them I am where I am today. 

We met on a sunny fall evening back in November. We only had about half an hour before the light faded away. It was the perfect amount of time. 

Life is strange. There are constant changes. But if you open your eyes, you will realize that those changes lead you right where you need to be. 

Fritts | Seattle Family Photographer

You have seen this family all over my portfolio. It's because they are dear friends of mine and they grace me with their faces in front of my lens every year. We met 16 years ago at Seattle University. Alicia and I were in nursing school together, along with her twin sister. We spent so many hours together studying and getting through nursing school. It was so hard but it was so fun. I am so thankful for her and the relationship we formed all those years ago. 

Well fast forward to now and Alicia and Jeremy have three of the cutest kids alive and are kick ass parents. We try to see each other as much as we can but as you can relate, life gets busy. I brought my girls along with me on this shoot and we had so much fun playing in a very muddy Christmas Tree Farm. 

I have been messaged many times since posting images form this session if I offer Christmas Tree Mini Sessions. The answer is no. I can't do mini sessions. I am literally not capable. ;) I can't be limited to a time frame or minimum of images. While I am pretty fast, I need to be able to capture everything I see, every moment. When you do a shoot with me you get all the images I edit, you never have to choose your favorites. BUT, if you want to do your annual session with me at a Christmas Tree Farm, let's do it! 

P.S I might offer special Christmas Tree sessions this year only to my mailing list. So if this is something you might want to do, join my list.